Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley engaged but will never marry fiancé for devastating reason

Lisa Riley, who has played Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale for almost 30 years, opens up about her husband-to-be and the heartbreaking reason she won’t tie the knot.

Gracing our screens as feisty Mandy Dingle for almost 30 years, Lisa Riley portrays one of Emmerdale’s longest-running and best-loved characters. And as she prepares to celebrate the impressive milestone, the bubbly actress also reveals exclusively to OK! that, following the devastating death of her friend and Strictly partner Robin Windsor last year, she’s been going to therapy – something she didn’t do when she lost her beloved mother Cath to secondary breast cancer in 2012, at just 58.

Lisa – an ambassador for Breast Cancer Now, with whom she has recorded a moving podcast – has been told she may carry an altered BRCA gene, which can increase the risk of developing certain cancers. Although she admits she’s “petrified” of the disease that took her mother, the 48-year-old is on a mission to keep the conversation around breast cancer going all year round. Here, she also opens up exclusively to OK! about life with US musician Al and the poignant reason she’ll never tie the knot…

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Hello, Lisa. What significance did partnering with Breast Cancer Now have?

We have Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October but it should be a constant chat. Then obviously we did Chas’s storyline last year [Lisa’s Emmerdale character was involved in a moving storyline when Chas Dingle, played by Lucy Pargeter, found a lump in her breast]. It had fans in tears. And the topic is in people’s houses Monday to Friday. I’ll go to a nail bar to get my nails done and everyone’s talking about Chas’s storyline. That constant awareness helps.

Chas’s cancer storyline was powerful…

Oh no, soaps aren’t just soaps, are they? Similar to Paddy’s suicide attempt, Marlon’s stroke storyline received a lot of positive feedback. And with Chas being my close cousin, doing the breast cancer story, I had people coming up to me in the street, saying, ‘ Thank you so much. ‘ Hopefull, Emmerdale‘s use of mammograms and smears can save lives.

Your last mammogram was when?

I had my mammogram a few days ago. To maintain my peace of mind, I have one every year. Since I’m 49 in July, my body is changing. Anything that’s a change, I automatically think, ‘ God, is it my time? ‘ It has been so bizarre for me because my mother passed away so young and then reached the age of 48, as she was when she was first diagnosed. I’m self-checking and getting mammograms, but I’m genuinely poop. But I won’t live on what I call ‘ The Green Mile of life’. That is not how you live.

What are your thoughts on genetic testing?

I don’t want it. Although I’ve been told to, I don’t want a black cloud to cover me. Can you picture the doom umbrella? Anything could happen to us, just walking across the road. Living a vigilant life is what I prefer. Right now, I lead a very healthy life. I haven’t had a drink for nearly 10 years.

How did losing your mum change you?

Mum went way before her time. I had to grow up really quickly. When I lost her, it blew my mind, because I had to do everything on my own and in this industry, it’s hard. I realised she was more than my backbone with my career, she was more than my mother, my best friend. All whoosh, gone overnight. All of a sudden, I had to swim on my own. But she taught me to be strong. She gave me that fire.

Do you still find it tough?

What would you do when I said, “Mum, what would you do now?” Give me a sign, please. I still talk to her endlessly. It’s known as mumbo jumbo, in some circles. But if it actually works for you, it should. I see feathers. Chanel is in the room if I smell her perfume. I’m still very confident, but since she’s gone, I’ve lost a small amount of that. People are very quick to judge and say, ‘ It’s so many years now, pull your socks up. ‘ That is ridiculous to me. You just grow to accept that suffering is unending. Sometimes I’ll want to call her, then suddenly, silent tears fall. It is a pitiful state.

How do you feel about turning 50?

Really happy. I’m here, I’m healthy, I’ve got such a zest for life. I’m also celebrating my 30th in Emmerdale this July, so it’s a big year. Medicine has come so far. My mum was an ostrich about her cancer, I know that now, she really was in her own headspace. I think now I’ve got a very good outlook on life and my health.

What do you love about playing Mandy?

Mandy’s a joy. There’s always something, and it’s full dress-up. Dominic Brunt [who plays Paddy Kirk], my best friend who has played my husband for so long, we care so much about each other. And we still want to put our nuances into those roles, like making a good casserole. The writers and producers give you so much, then we’ll put a bit of paprika on it.

Is there much banter happening in the background?

Yeah, especially with the Dingles. We’re thick as thieves, and go out socially together. At the moment, we’re workingin family pods. But then, for example, the gorgeous Claire King [who plays Kim Tate], we might not see for ages, though we’re in the same building. I’ve grown up with these people. I’m Nana there, so all the young ones are coming in, like Bradley Riches from Celebrity Big Brother who’s just joined us. He’s a lovely boy.

Will there be a big bash for your Emmerdale anniversary?

I’ll be like the queen because July is my 49th birthday and July 25 is my show’s anniversary! We’ll undoubtedly collaborate on an event. Probably one with everybody, then a Dingle family one.

Of course, you lost your good friend Robin Windsor and your Strictly Come Dancing partner last year…

My best friend and I lost each other. I’m so lucky with our dressing room crew at work. Some days, I wouldn’t be able to carry on without those girls. My heart hurts even though I put on the wig, makeup, and costume and laugh. My husband-to-be Al has been amazing, but yes, I lost my gay best friend. He and I used Velcro to attach each other.

What’s your current state of mind?

I’d never had therapy since losing my mum. However, with Robin, I had to start having therapy. It really does work. I lost mum, then Robin, and two and half months after Robin we lost my aunt suddenly when she was on holiday. She died having dinner. Looking back, I wonder, ‘Should I have taken more time off work?’ But I put

I did exactly what Mandy Dingle did with my mother because she kept on and kept going. My coping mechanism was that.

Will Al walk you down the aisle as your “husband-to-be”? You described him as your “husband-to-be.”

We are already divorced, but we are not. And honestly, I truly couldn’t cope with the big day without my mum by my side. Why would I want to endure that? He has no parents and recently lost his mother. Thank God I’ve got Dad. However, remember that we are not children; therefore, don’t fix something that isn’t broken. In June, we celebrate 11 years of marriage.

Why do you complement each other?

We appreciate each other, he’s brilliantly sarcastic, and I’m a little bit sarcastic. We are not always joined at the hip because he is a musician and we don’t work nine to nine. And it’s that understanding. His love for my family and mine for both. I can be a closed book at times. It’s those moments when I’m sitting in the back bedroom with the radio on all by myself, and he just knows I need that space – otherwise I really will shut down. He doesn’t take my attention too seriously.

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Source: Mirror